Auxiliary fuel supply for internal combustion engines



Dec. 11, 1945. c. YOUNG AUXILIARY FUEL SUPPLY FOR INTERNAL-COMBUSTIONENGINES Filed Nov. 17, 1944 Inventor CLINT Y'oUNG,

a Attorneys Patented Dec. 11, 1945 AUXI LIARY FUEL .SUPPLY FOR INTERNAIl- COMBUSTION ENGINES Clint Young, East St. Louis, Ill.

Application November 17, 1944, Serial No. 563,862

3 Claims.

The present invention relates to improved Ways and means ofsatisfactorily utilizing gaseous vapors from a conventional gasolinestorage tank, whereby to provide an added or auxiliary and highlycombustible fuel supply for delivery to the intake manifold orcarbureter, as the case may be.

My primary aim is to provide a simple pipe connection between thecarbureter and the vapor trapping and accumulating chamber in thestandard gasoline storage tank, the intermittent suction occurring inthe carbureter serving to deliver such added and otherwise wasted fuelvapors and to thus provide a. booster for the carbureter.

Another phase of the invention has to do with the provision of a simpleblower, driven from the engine shaft and connected with the gasolinetank 'by way of a pipe, said pipe having its discharge end locatedadjacent the bottom of the tank, whereby to introduce air, underpressure, into the gasoline and to employ the issuing air bubbles toslightly agitate the gasoline and permeate same, whereby to complementthe auxiliary delivery pipe in promoting results more effective thanwould otherwise be had.

A further phase of the invention is in reference to the ways and meansof slightly heating the gasoline in the storage tank, this by a heatingcoil, whereby to condition and increase the combustible properties andcharacter of the trapped fuel-vapors.

Other features and advantages will become more readily apparent from thefollowing description and the accompanying illustrative drawing.

In the drawing, wherein like numerals are employed to designate likeparts throughout the plurality of views:

Figure 1 is a side elevational view, with parts shown in section, of aconventional internal combustion engine, showing the gasoline supply orstorage tank and the various contrivances which contribute in producingthe collective functions desired.

Figure 2 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view taken approximately onthe plane of the line Z--2 of Figure 1, looking in the direction of thearrows.

Figures 3, 4, and are similar fragmentary sectional and elevationalviews taken on the line 3-3, 4-4, and 5-5, all appearing in thedirection of the respective indicating arrows.

Referring now to the drawing, by distinguishing reference numerals, theinternal combustion engine is denoted as a unit, by the numeral 6 thishaving associated therewith a carbureter 1, intake manifold 8, watercirculating pump 9 and fuel supply orstorage tank I0.

As stated, the primary phase of the invention has to do with the pick-upand delivery of fuelvapors from the collecting chamber above thegasoline in the tank [0, This is accomplished by way of a suitablesuction-controlled pipe ll connected as at l2 to the usual filler neckI3. At its opposite end it is connected as at M either to the intakemanifold 8 or the carbureter l. The point of connection as regards theseelements is optional, depending upon results desired.

The gasoline agitating and aerating feature has to do primarily with asimple blower system. The blower proper is indicated at l5 and isappropriately mounted and driven by gearing l-B from the engine shaft.The air is taken in at the hub of the blower housing as usual and thenforced out of the periphery through a pipe I 1 which is appropriatelyarranged and has one end depending into the gasoline in the tank In saidend terminating in a discharge funnel l8 located near the bottom of thetank. The air jets or bubbles issue from this funnel and pass upwardlthrough the gasoline picking up fuel and providing a more abundantsupply in the trapping chamber, this trapped additional fuel then beingsucked into the carbureter by way of the suction pipe or line I I,

The next and third phase has to do with increasing the temperature ofthe gasoline and this is done by a simple coil l9 of any appropriateconstruction. This coil is located and confined in the gasoline tank andis proportioned depending on the degree of heat desired. By preferencethe coil is connected at one end by a .branch pipe 20 to the fuel pump,the latter being connected to the water jacket by the usual pipe 2| andbeing driven by customar gearing 22. This pump is of the gear type asshown in Figure 5. The return or circulating line 23 is connected withthe water space in the top of the motor or engine jacket and with theuppermost convolution of the coil [9. By circulating hot water throughthis coil the gasoline in the tank is heated and. rendered moreefiectively usable particularly insofar as it pertains to heating theentrapped gas vapors in the top chamber of the tank Ill.

The individual phases described can be used conjointly or separately,each adding its proportionate share to the economy of operation of themotor. When all three are combined and propper gallon on an automobile,it is submitted, from 10 to 20 percent.

It is thought that persons skilled in the art to which the inventionrelates will be able to obtain a clear: understanding of the inventionafter considering the description in connection with the drawing.Therefore, a more lengthy description is regarded as unnecessary, 3

Minor changes in the shape, sizeand arrangement of details coming withinthe field of invention claimed may be resorted to in actual practice, ifdesired. 1

I claim:

1. In a structure of the class describedin combination, an internalcombustion engine including a carbureter, an intake manifold, a gasolinestorage tank, a suction pipe connection between the top of the gasolinetank and the intake manifold, a heating coil mounted in said tank to increase the temperature of the gasoline, and means for supplying airunder pressure into the gasoline, in the manner and for the purposesdescribed.

2. In a structure of the class described, in combination, an internalcombustion engine, a carbur'eter, a fuel tank, a suction pipe connectionbetween the fuel tank and carbureter, a blower, an operating connectionbetween the blower and engine, said blower being provided with aforcefeed air pipe and said air pipe extending into the gasolinetanktosupply air to a point within the vicinity of the bottom of thetank,

3. In a structure of the class described, in combination, an internalcombustion engine, a carbureter,v a fuel tank, a suction pipe connectionbetween the fuel tank and carbureter, a blower,

an operating connection between the blower and

